St Petersburg University takes part in the 26th St Petersburg International Economic Forum
The 26th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2023) has begun its work in St Petersburg. The Forum has established itself as a leading platform for business networking and discussion of key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets and the world at large. The business programme will include a number of events involving representatives of St Petersburg University; and as per tradition, the University experts will participate in public debates and roundtable discussions.
One of the highlights of the SPIEF 2023 for St Petersburg University will be the public presentation of the Centre "Geopolitical Observatory for Russia’s Key Issues" (GORKI) at St Petersburg University. The goal of the GORKI Centre is to carry out research on: issues of economic and demographic development; energy independence; migration; and various aspects of visionary diplomacy and Russian foreign policy. Dr Karin Kneissl, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria, and Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, will speak at the Forum about the GORKI Centre’s activities.
At the panel session "Urban Environment Development: National Theatre as an Economic Model", initiated by St Petersburg University and the National Drama Theatre of Russia (Alexandrinsky Theatre), experts will discuss effective ways of: maintaining the identity of national theatre; integrating international management experience into the context of performing arts; and developing theatre arts today. The event will be attended by: Professor Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University; Sergei Emelianov, Managing Director of the National Drama Theatre of Russia (Alexandrinsky Theatre); and Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for International Cultural Cooperation.
As part of the discussion "A Digital Leap in Agriculture", Aleksandr Averianov, a doctoral student at St Petersburg University, CEO of the Terroir Concept, a small innovative enterprise set up jointly with the University, will present the project that became the winner in the student contest of innovative projects "SPbU Start-up − 2021". The Terroir Concept team has developed a geo-information software system to facilitate the selection of the most suitable vineyard sites, taking into account the climate conditions and features of the grape varieties.
Since winning the contest, the Terroir Concept team has carried out agricultural consulting services for wineries in the Crimea and Krasnodar Krai and also presented their development at the 12th Annual Investment Meeting (AIM Global 2023) in Abu Dhabi (the United Arab Emirates).
At the roundtable discussion "Social Cohesion and Societal Resilience", participants will focus on how business and society are responding to the current global processes and the economic sanctions imposed on Russia. These factors are contributing to significant changes in the Russian business environment, resulting in the reconfiguration of business models and the redistribution of capital within the country. Among the keynote speakers will be Anton Nizhnikov, Professor in the Department of Genetics and Biotechnology at St Petersburg University, Head of the Laboratory for Proteomics of Supra-Organismal Systems at the All-Russian Research Institute for Agricultural Microbiology.
Olga Ievleva is a student at St Petersburg University and a project manager of the Youth of the Arctic project. She will talk about: the business initiatives spearheaded by young entrepreneurs who are committed to the environmental agenda; and public support for green entrepreneurship. During the discussion "Money Out of Thin Air: The Escalating Allure of Green Youth Entrepreneurship", the speakers will address the questions of whether green projects are accessible to young entrepreneurs and how civil society organisations can help businesses in aligning with the green agenda.
As part of the 26th St Petersburg International Economic Forum, a foundation-stone for a future monument to Sergey Uvarov will be laid at St Petersburg University. Sergey Uvarov was an influential Imperial Russian statesman and scholar, a recognised specialist in Ancient Greek literature and culture, President of the Russian Imperial Academy of Sciences and Minister of Education.
The ceremony will be attended by: Vladimir Medinsky, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation; Sergey Kravtsov, Minister of Education of the Russian Federation; Alexander Beglov, Governor of St Petersburg and Member of the St Petersburg University Board of Trustees; and Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Also, at the SPIEF 2023, St Petersburg University will conclude a series of cooperation agreements with major government and business entities, including: Russia Housing and Urban Development Corporation (DOM.RF); the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation; the Roscongress Foundation; the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh); and the Governments of the Magadan Region, the Yaroslavl Regions and Perm Krai. Visitors to the stand of St Petersburg University at the SPIEF 2023 exhibition venue will be able to watch videos about the University’s research and developments.